They Go the Distance...and Beyond

By Fran
WestportNow Consumer Correspondent
fran@westportnow.com

This week, something different ….

I hear a lot of grumbling about how the retail scene in Westport just isn’t what it used to be (the Klein's of Westport closing is only the latest example). But then what is?

Where romantic Westport lore has it that the mom-and-pops once knew everyone by name (think of Martha’s New York Times Magazine butcher), today’s retail landscape of Gaps, Banana Republics, and Talbots's is impersonal and anonymous. Right?

Well, not always. Here is the good news: we’ve still got a few absolute gems behind the counters and storefronts in this town who will go the distance for a customer - and beyond.

Here are a few of my favorites …do you know them?

Ileen Cooperstock
Ileen Cooperstock – a gem at Ann Taylor. WestportNow.com photo

Ileen has been at Ann Taylor on Main Street for eight years – the longest employee on record at that location – and boy, does she know her stuff. Ileen is all business as she whizzes around the floor with her expert, x-ray eyes.

She’ll show up in your dressing room the very minute you need her – how does she know? – then disappear into the deep recesses of the stock room to find that one remaining cream turtleneck in size small you’re dying for – and invariably finds exactly the right item.

(Compare that to the blank stare and the spaced-out “Oh, if you don’t see it here I guess we don’t have it” you’ll invariably get at the Gap.) Best of all, Ileen can be trusted to tell you if those pants are too tight – and what looks so great on you, you’d be nuts to pass it up. A real pro.

Lisa Edwards
Lisa Edwards – always a smile at Trader Joe's. WestportNow.com photo

Cheery, energetic, lively, and just plain fun, Lisa Edwards will lift anyone out of a bad mood just by ringing them up at Trader Joe’s.

She’ll grab your groceries and bag them up so fast it’s startling. Best of all, you get the feeling Lisa just loves what she does, and is happy to see everyone who walks through those automatic doors – especially you.

It’s like visiting with your best high school buddy every time you walk in the store.

If Trader Joe’s Handmade Chocolate Ganache Torte doesn’t reassure you that the world is a wonderful place (see Fran’s List Feb. 28, 2004), Lisa certainly will.

Marilyn Wallach
Marilyn Wallach – a joy at Mitchells. WestportNow.com photo

It’s a pretty tough task to single out any one salesperson in that magical Hug-Your-Customer world called Mitchells. Anyone who has stepped inside knows that Mitchells is a fantasy land where every customer is coddled, catered to – and okay, just plain loved.

But being helped by Marilyn Wallach is nothing short of joyful - a blast every time. She’s your sister, your mother, and your best friend who swears to you – and means it – that if you don’t buy that outrageously expensive necklace you will regret it every day for the rest of your life.

And she’s right. Marilyn makes parting with great gobs of money one not only painless, but great, rollicking fun. You’ll still have a warm feeling a month later, when the Mastercard bill comes.

Stan “Junior” DiGuiseppi Stan “Junior” DiGuiseppi – always "no problem" at Greens Farms Shell. WestportNow.com photo

Did you ever notice how everything is just such a problem when it comes to car repair? (“Nope, can’t take you today, need two weeks notice” … “Nope, that part has to be specially ordered …”)

At the Greens Farm Shell Station at the corner of Maple Avenue South and Post Road East it’s nothing but “no problem” from “Junior” DuGuiseppi.

Need an emission test right this very minute because you’re leaving town (before they suspended them again) even though he’s got a week-long waiting list? “No problem.”

Windshield wipers just not cutting it? “No problem – and while we’re at it, why don’t we scrape off that old expired beach sticker for you? And have you noticed that rear left tire looks a bit low? We’ll take care of it … no problem.”

As a woman highly suspicious about being given the runaround wherever I take my car in for service, Junior at the Greens Farms Shell just makes me breathe a sigh of relief. Anyone that just-plain nice has got to be dead honest.

To WestportNow readers: Know anyone who should be included in this group of winners? Please let me know what makes them special. Maybe you’ll see their photo in a WestportNow update. (No fair if they own the store – employees only.)

Did You Remember to Get Your Beach Sticker?

The 2004 summer season officially is underway as beach stickers were required beginning today for vehicles seeking to enter town beaches. Stickers will be required until Oct. 1. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

A Good Day for Beach Sitting

Today's warm temperatures and sunny weather made for a perfect day for sitting on Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

General Assembly Passes Budget, Westport Reps Vote No

The General Assembly will send a $14.3 billion budget plan to Gov. John G. Rowland's desk and leaders insist they have the votes to override a veto.

Westport's two state representatives and state senator, all Republicans, voted against the budget. Included in the budget is a six-month delay in implementing a 5.5 percent fare increase on Metro-North's New Haven Line.

The package Friday won broad bipartisan support in both chambers, which are controlled by Democrats. It passed the House of Representatives 113-36 early in the morning, then swept the Senate 25-9 at night.

The Republican governor has said he would veto a Democratic spending plan, though Friday morning he said he'd wait and see what happened.

"The governor has made no final decision about whether he'll sign the budget or not," Marc Ryan, Rowland's budget chief, said after the package passed.

Democratic leaders hailed the budget package as a bipartisan agreement, claiming it does not raise taxes and restores cuts to programs made in last year's tight spending plan.

Westport's state representatives, G. Kenneth Bernhard and Cathy Tymniak, as well as state Sen. Judith G. Freedman voted against the budget.

The Senate Friday rejected an amendment that would have scrapped the planned 5.5 percent fare increase on Metro-North.

But rail commuters earned a partial victory when the House had approved an amendment that would hold off the increase for six months, from July 1 to Jan. 1.

That delay remains in the budget that awaits Rowland's signature.

The budget provides tax cuts for middle-class homeowners and avoids tax increases for the rich.

It also provides millions of dollars for social programs for the poor and the elderly, along with eliminating the sales tax on newspapers as of July 1.

The bill helps middle-class homeowners by increasing the popular property tax credit to a maximum of $500 - up from the current $350 - for couples earning less than $100,000 annually.

The credit is gradually phased down for those with higher incomes before being completely eliminated for families earning more than $190,000 annually.

Republicans harshly criticized the Democratic budget for failing to allocate any money for the state's "rainy day fund" for fiscal emergencies.

The fund currently is empty because legislators voted to spend the money in it to cover deficits from previous years.

Saturday, May 1, 2004

11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center - Earth Day Festival 2004
10 a.m. -5 p.m. - Bedford Middle School - Garden and antique show

Betty Lou Cummings Honored at Library

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell (r) tonight presents a proclamation to Betty Lou Cummings in honor her being given a Special Friend Award from the Friends of the Westport Library. Cummings has been a tireless fundraiser for the library over the years, heading the brick river walk project as well as the library's "wall of tiles" project. See another photo on COMMUNITY page. Ann Sheffer for WestportNow.com

Martha Stewart's Brother Selling Childhood Items on eBay

The brother of Westport's Martha Stewart said today he plans to sell on eBay some of her belongings that date back to childhood.

Among them: A Singer sewing machine used by Stewart to sew her wedding dress in 1961.

Frank Kostyra, 59, who lives in the Alabama community of Fairhope near Mobile, said he got the items in 1987 from their mother with Stewart's
"blessings'' and hoped to have more than 200 items posted on the eBay site by tonight.

While Stewart awaits sentencing June 17 for her conviction in a stock sale case, Kostyra said he's selling the items partly to raise money for a self-published book, "My Life with Martha The Making of Martha Stewart.''

He said the items to be auctioned include a 1976 Chevrolet Suburban. He says it was used by Stewart to start the catering business that grew into a media empire.

Other items for auction, Kostyra said, include cuttings from a family fig tree in Nutley, N.J., a 55-year-old double boiler Stewart used for cooking chocolate, and a bent-oak rocker from the Stewart grandparents.

There's also Stewart's first fly rod and her muskrat traps and stretcher frames. She and her brothers sold muskrat pelts to Sears Roebuck as children, according to Kostyra.

Stewart hasn't commented publicly about her brother's eBay auction, but Kostyra said he had received e-mail from her with no objections.

Kostyra said his mother, now living near Westport, near his famous sister, asked him to gather up the tools, kitchen utensils and other items.

"A lot of these items we grew up with,'' Kostyra said. Other family members "just walked away from it.''

"I put them in a big U-Haul and carried them to South Carolina, then to here,'' he said. "Now I'm having fun going through boxes.''

The items have been in storage since Kostyra moved to Mobile with a vending machine business, he said. He now owns FAA Communications, a cable and satellite television business near Decatur that operates in northern Alabama.

He said the items will be available for ``people who want a piece of the Martha legacy. Why not share these things? I don't need it all.''

He said proceeds will also help him publish a series of children's books he's writing based on his own five children.

Kostyra said he planned the book about his sister in 2001 before her legal troubles began, describing himself as the `"peacemaker'' in the large Stewart family, now scattered "from Buffalo to Miami.''

Their last reunion, he said, was about 10 years ago for his mother's 80th birthday.

New Haven Advisory: Service Normal After Wire Damage Caused Delays

Wire damage in New Rochelle disrupted Metro-North New Haven Line service today but by mid-afternoon the railroad said normal service had been resumed in time for the evening rush hour.

"Normal service has resumed on the New Haven Line," the railroad said in a 3:23 p.m. advisory.

Earlier, at 12:30 p.m., it had said normal off-peak outbound service from Grand Central to New Haven had been restored with scattered delays.

At 9:22 a.m., Metro-North said the wire damage was causing 15-20 minute delays on trains into Grand Central.

At the same time, it said outbound trains were being combined, making all local stops from Grand Central to New Haven, resulting in delays of about an hour on outbound service.

Westport's Martha Stewart Gets $500,000 Bonus from Her Company

Despite her legal problems, Westport's Martha Stewart got a $500,000 bonus from her company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., last year, according to a federal filing.

It was about 67 percent more than required by her employment contract.

Stewart was convicted in March of lying to investigators about a stock sale and will be sentenced in June.

She received her regular salary of $900,000 last year from the company as well as the bonus, a Securities and Exchange Commission filing showed.

Stewart receives a guaranteed minimum bonus payment of $300,000 annually, according to her employment contract, the filing said.

Her bonus was $200,000 higher than the minimum, but it was down 27 percent from her 2002 award of $680,600 and less than half her $1.16 million bonus in 2001.

The company reported an operating loss in 2003, its first annual loss since going public in 1999. Its business has been hurt by Stewart's legal problems, with advertising down at her flagship magazines.

Stewart stepped down as CEO in June 2003, hours after her indictment.

"The Compensation Committee believes that the compensation of Ms. Stewart as Chief Executive Officer should be heavily weighted to corporate performance and that the reduced level of compensation paid to Ms. Stewart with respect to 2003 reflects that objective," the company said in the filing.

Stewart, who is appealing her criminal conviction, remains the controlling shareholder of the company and serves as "founding editorial director."

Stewart's successor as CEO, Sharon Patrick, took in a base salary of $850,746 in 2003, which was boosted to $900,000 annually beginning in January 2004, the filing showed.

Patrick received an $800,000 bonus in 2003, up from $680,600 in 2002.

It's My Last Day!

Betty Bowes gets a surprise photo taken as she enters the Westport Town Clerk's office today – her last day on the job after almost 20 years. "It's bittersweet for me," she said. "I'm going to miss all these people." (See WestportNow April 27, 2004). Ruth Cavayero for WestportNow.com

Community Correspondent Report: The Stranger at Your Door

Every year at this time, door-to-door magazine salesmen appear in Westport.
They tell you they are not “selling you anything" but want you to give them a chance to “help them, help themselves.” See STORY by WestportNow Community Correspondent Cherie Tripp Lejeune.

Friday, April 30, 2004

4 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Rock the Vote: Connecticut presents a forum on Iraq
5 p.m. - Saugatuck Elementary School -- "Museum Night" school art show

Police Chief Expresses Reservations about Revising Noise Ordinance

Westport Police Chief Al Fiore expressed reservations tonight about revising the town’s noise ordinance if it takes away his officers’ prerogatives in the field. He told a Town Hall public hearing that use of noise meters to try to enforce an ordinance would be “a complicated issue, no doubt about it.” The meeting on "noise nuisance" was sparsely attended – about 15 people showed up. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Thom Burrows for WestportNow.com

Customer Slightly Injured as Car Crashes into Store

A customer at Stile's Farmers Market on Post Road East suffered a knee injury today when a motorist lost control of her car and it crashed into the store, causing a cabinet to fall on the customer. The motorist was not injured. Here a firefighter backs the car out of the store. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Klein's Closing After 67 Years

Klein's of Westport, a Main Street landmark for 67 years, announced today it is closing next month.
Klein's of Westport was a Main Street landmark for 67 years. This is a circa 1960s view. File photo

Klein's owner Robert Hertzel took out a newspaper ad to announce the move and also issued a statement to the media.

"To everything there is a season," Hertzel said. "It is now our season to close our business forever."

For many Westporters, Klein's disappeared more than five years ago after leasing its first floor space to Banana Republic.

It continued to operate on the building's upper floors but never regained its former glory as a haven for books, personalized stationery, photographic materials, electronics and gift items.

Westport Property Transfers April 19-23, 2004

Property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk's office for the period April 19-23, 2004:

Pamela Burke Camarda to Richard V. and Maureen Dooley Bortolot Jr., 14 Mill St., $563,000.

S & L Homes Inc. to Michael A. and April L.. Book, 28 Crawford Road, $3,512,500.

Estate of Elvira McCarthy aka Louise to Elizabeth Shelton, 9 Cedar Road, $550,000.

Alice E. Friedman to Michael O. and Ann W. Pettee, Unit 66 Regents Park, $667,500.

Leslie H. Ogilvy to David H. Ogilvy, 45 Hiawatha Lane, $182,500.

Westport Home and Land Co. LLC to Arthur and Xia Yun Millman, Lot 34 10 Terra Nova Circle, $891,386.

Alexander M. Hehmeyer Trust to Mammoth Enterprises LLC, 57 Owenoke Park, $6,000,000.

Lynn Hyman and Thomas Tracey to Alfred J. and Maria J. Caporizzo Jr., 45 Reichert Circle, $475,000.

Firefighters Quickly Douse House Fire Linked to Bird's Nest

Westport firefighters quickly doused a fire at a Compo Parkway home Wednesday night that fire officials said was touched off by a bird's nest near an outside light fixture.
Westport firefighters battle a blaze on the second floor of a Compo Parkway home Wednesday night. WestportNow.com photo

No one was injured in the blaze which damaged a small portion of the second floor exterior of the two-story home at 5 Compo Parkway.

A father and three children in the house at the time escaped unharmed.

The man told fire officials that he was on the second floor when he smelled smoke after an exterior light was activated.

He went outside to investigate and spotted flames. He then led his children outside and dialed 911.

Arriving firefighters reported flames coming from around a second floor window.

Fire Chief Denis McCarthy, who was on the scene, said cause of the appeared to be "excessive heat buildup" on an outside light fixture caused by a bird's nest.

Fire Marshal Fred Baker, who was also on the scene, said bird's nests on light fixtures have been known to cause fires in the past. He urged homeowners to check to make sure outside lights are free and clear of any obstruction.

The fire was reported at 8:38 p.m. and the last unit left about three hours later.

Assistant Chief Jonathan Gottfried subsequently reported that "the Fire Marshall's office determined that a bird's nest in close proximity to the exterior light fixture was first ignited when the light was illuminated."

He said the fire then spread to the exterior wood siding and roof system.

He said the home sustained minor smoke damage to the second floor and damage to a section of the roof, exterior siding and adjacent exterior trimmings.

Fairfied sent an engine company to cover Westport while 26 on-duty, off-duty and volunteer firefighters responded to the blaze.

Thursday, April 29, 2004

7:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Human Services Workforce Senior Housing Subcommittee
10 a.m. - Earthplace - Sasco Brook Pollution Abatement Committee
7 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Public Meeting on noise nuisance
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A - Youth Commission

Westport House Fire Linked to Bird's Nest

Westport firefighters check for hot spots after quickly extinguishing a house fire tonight on Compo Parkway. The fire damaged a small part of the second floor exterior. A father and three children were home at the time and escaped unharmed. Fire officials said the fire appeared to have started around an outside light fixture that had a bird's nest on it. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Another Free Ice Cream Promotion Draws Crowds

For the second day in a row, Westporters had a chance for free ice cream. The crowds were out the door tonight as Baskin Robbins on Post Road East and Bay Street offered a free scoop to all comers between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Board of Selectmen Approves $50 Parking Fee Increase

The Westport Board of Selectmen tonight approved a $50 increase to $225 a year to park at Westport's two railroad stations. The Police Department requested the increase to pay for increased costs of security and maintenance. It goes into effect July 1. (See WestportNow April 20, 2004)

Evergreen Clipper

Crews from Connecticut Light and Power Co. finish bracing a leaning utility pole today at the intersection of Evergreen Avenue and Evergreen Parkway. Someone clipped the pole about half way up and it will have to be replaced in the next few days, according to the workers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Shays Marched for Abortion Rights, Too

Rep. Christopher Shays, Westport's congressman, marched in Sunday's abortion rights march in Washington, D.C., too. WestportNow Tuesday carried a picture showing his Democratic rival, Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell, at Sunday's march and is happy to offer "equal time." Here he is with wife, Betsi, (l) and another unidentified woman. Shays is a member of The Republican Pro-Choice Coalition. Shaysforcongress.org photo

Fire Damages Vermont Home Owned by Westporters

A seasonal vacation home in Vermont owned by a Westport couple has been severely damaged by fire, according to a local newspaper.

The Caldedonian-Record said the second floor of the Cape-style home in Peacham, Vt., was gutted in Tuesday's blaze with some damage to the first floor.

The home was unoccupied at the time, the newspaper said. A passerby noticed smoke coming from the attic and turned in the alarm.

The report quoted Peacham Fire Chief Jeff Berwick as saying the cause of the fire is undetermined, but there is no reason to believe it was suspicious.

The newspaper said the residence is a seasonal home owned by David and Mindy Mooney of Westport.

Workers Hit Gas Line on Old Road

Construction workers hit a gas pipeline on Westport's Old Road today, causing police to evacuate nearby homes and stores and to shut down the road for almost an hour.

Fire units responded to the break in front of 23 Old Road and gas company repair crews were summoned after the 11:40 a.m. incident.

Fire Assistant Chief Christopher Ackley said upon arrival, firefighters found a 1-1/4-inch pipeline releasing high pressure gas into the area directly behind 1375 Post Road East.

"As a precaution, all adjacent businesses and residential structures were evacuated until the gas was shut off," he said.

Police shut down the roadway at Post Road East where it connects to Old Road and well as the intersection with Maple Avenue North.

Residents were allowed back into the homes and customers and workers into the stores, including Anthropolgie and HayDay, shortly after the line was shut down at 12:30 p.m.

No injuries were reported.

Down by the River

When Ben & Jerry's had its free ice cream day Tuesday, this Westport mother and son decided to eat their ice cream on a nearby bench overlooking the Saugatuck River. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Westport's Sean Mulcahy: "The Tough Work is Ahead"

Westport's Sean Mulcahy, drafted Sunday as a free agent by the Cleveland Browns, appreciates all the congratulatory calls and notes from his hometown but cautions that the toughest part is still ahead – making the team.

"I've gotten a lot of phone calls and e-mail," Mulcahy, a 2000 Staples grad and standout defensive lineman at UConn, told WestportNow. "I really appreciate everyone's support."

He added, "But the real test is the summer training camp in July and August. I'll have to make the three or four cuts."

Mulcahy and fellow UConn Husky Uyi Osunde, also drafted by Cleveland as a free agent, will travel to Cleveland Friday for a weekend minicamp. Then it's back to Storrs to study for finals.

"I'm really psyched about playing with NFL players," he said. "I guess I'm where I want to be."

Mulcahy said among those offering congratulations was his former Staples coach, Marce Petruccio. "He's real excited, real happy for me," he said.

Mulcahy said he plans a quick trip to Europe with Westport friend Bob Lynch after his May 9 graduation and then it's prep time for training camp.

As for the prospect of making big bucks as an NFL player, Mulcahy said that's still a long way off.

"Unlike baseball and some other sports, there's no guaranteed money in pro football," he said. "If you don't make the team, you don't get paid."

Wednesday, April 28, 2004

10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens brown bag lunch
5 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Board of Selectmen
7:30 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - "Walk and Talk" at "The Figure NOW" exhibit.

Wall of Art

Bedford Middle School tonight marked the opening of the "Art Cafe" featuring work by every student in grades sixth through eighth. Organized by BMS art teachers Pete DiFranco, Cecily Cowburn and Lynne Karmen, it was the first school-wide middle school art exhibit to be held in Westport in recent years. See another photo on ARTS & LEISURE page. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux Roche for WestportNow.com

Democratic National Committee Chair Aids Farrell in 4th CD Race

It's only April, but the Democrats are already rolling out the big party guns for Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell in her uphill battle to unseat veteran Republican Congressman Christopher Shays in Connecticut's 4th Congressional District.
Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell chats with Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, at a Westport fund-raiser tonight. WestportNow.com photo

Today it was the turn of Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He joined Farrell in a conference call with reporters to talk about the race as he headed for a fundraising event in Westport tonight.

"This is going to be a spectacular year for Democrats in Connecticut," McAuliffe said.

He said national Democrats had targeted the Farrell-Shays contest as a "top-tier race" that will mean big party names and national campaign funds directed to help her.

"We're going to stand up and we are going to fight for her," he said.

McAuliffe said Shays is out of touch with the people of Connecticut and that his support of the war in Iraq had hurt him.

Shays was "trying to fool the people of the 4th District of Connecticut, making them think he had no role in it," the party leader said.

The reality is "he enabled George Bush's rush to war and is now trying to hide from it," McAuliffe said.

He said he expected Sen. John Kerry to stump in Connecticut some time in June and that would benefit Farrell as well as Sen. Christopher Dodd, who is up for re-election.

McAuliffe said while his efforts are directed to getting Kerry elected, he agreed to meet with Farrell and talk to the press with her at the request of Bob Matsui, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

It was a sign, he said, of the importance national Democrats are giving to the race.

Michael Sohn, Shays' campaign manager, disagreed with McAuliffe's characterization that Shays is out of touch with his district, according to The Advocate of Stamford/Norwalk.

"These are partisan comments at a partisan forum by the ultimate Washington insider who knows nothing about the 4th Congressional District," he said.

"I don't know of any member of Congress who does a better job of staying in touch with his constituents through community meetings in every town, questionnaires, issue forums, meetings throughout the district, one-on-one and in groups, as well as being one of only 10 members of Congress to send their constituency their complete voting record and posting it on his Web site."

Lining Up for Free Ice Cream

They gave away hundreds of free ice cream cones today at Ben & Jerry's on Post Road East in an effort to draw young people to register to vote. The drive was organized by the "Rock the Vote" group. WestportNow.com photo

Free Ice Cream Draws All Ages

It was free ice cream day at Westport's Ben & Jerry's on Post Road East today in conjunction with the teen "Rock the Vote" voter registration drive. Here 3-year-old Emily waits for her mom to exit the store. WestportNow.com photo

Westport's Gary Seevers to Receive MSU Honorary Degree

Michigan State University announced today that it will award an honorary degree May 7 to Westport's Gary L. Seevers, an economist and financial market specialist.

The Morningside Drive South resident will receive an honorary doctor of business at the advanced degree ceremony.

National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice will address approximately 6,000 undergraduate students at the event. She will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters.

In its announcement, the university said Seevers "is an accomplished economist and financial market specialist whose career has encompassed academia, government service and private sector financial markets."

A 1959 graduate of MSU and member of the first class of the Honors College, Seevers was a county 4-H extension agent before returning to MSU where he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in agricultural economics.

As an assistant professor at Oregon State University, he served on the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, and President Gerald Ford appointed him to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

He started a new commodities business as a vice president at Goldman, Sachs & Company, subsequently retiring as a partner.

At MSU he has helped to strengthen the management of the MSU Foundation investment portfolio and served as co-chairperson of the President’s Campaign Cabinet, as a member of the Honors College Campaign Advisory Committee and as a member of the Stakeholders Advisory Council for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the announcement said.

He also has supported numerous scholarships and programs at MSU, including developing and funding the Gordon and Norma Guyer and Gary L. Seevers Chair in Natural Resource Conservation in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Designed to help prepare students to become leaders in natural resource conservation and find answers to the challenges of managing the environment, the chair reflects national concerns, the university said.

Westporters March on Washington for Abortion Rights

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell (c) poses with fellow marchers from Westport during Sunday's abortion rights march in Washington (See WestportNow April 26, 2004). Joining her in this photo made available today are (l to r) Jane Fraser, Barbara Bernstein (of Weston), Manny Margolis, Carol Waxman, Valerie Wagenfeld, Sandra Wagenfeld, and Estelle Margolis. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Jo Ann Davidson for WestportNow.com

Farrell Details Stance on Iraq, Other Issues in Greenwich Talk

Westport's Democratic First Selectwoman, Diane G. Farrell, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays in the fall election, told supporters Monday in Greenwich that Shays has lost touch with the concerns of voters in the 4th Congressional District, The Advocate of Stamford/Norwalk reported today.

"I've been here the past 10 years, eating, sleeping and breathing the issues of this district," said Farrell, according to the newspaper. "Chris has been in Washington for the past 16 years."

Farrell's comments came during an hour-long lunchtime forum with about 40 people, including former Greenwich First Selectman Richard Bergstresser, at Town Hall.

The brief speech, followed by a question-and-answer session, was Farrell's first public appearance in Greenwich since she announced her candidacy last month.

Daybreak Nurseries Case Back in Court

The case involving the Town of Westport and Daybreak Nurseries over its use of land at its Main Street location that has upset neighbors, as expected, is heading back to court..

"The ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) put the kibosh on it," Lawrence Weisman, attorney for the nursery, told WestportNow today. "They imposed draconian conditions that we could not accept."

Weisman filed an appeal of the ZBA decision April 21 in Stamford Superior Court and notice of the action was received in the Town Clerk's office Monday.

A Town Hall source had told WestportNow on April 16 that it was likely the case would end up back in court (See WestportNow April 16, 2004).

The ZBA this month took up a settlement between Daybreak and the town that resulted from a suit filed by the town after it had filed repeated cease-and-desist orders against the nursery.

The town contends that the nursery was using part of its property for commercial purposes, including log-splitting and topsoil sifting, prompting complaints from neighbors.

The appeal submitted by Weisman said the ZBA overstepped its authority by including in its decision a number of conditions that were not part of the settlement with the town.

Among them were requirements to build an 8-foot fence along the southern border, planting 8-foot trees along the border with neighbors, removing all heavy equipment, including a wood chipper, log splitter and soil sifter, and removing unusable diesel trucks.

Weisman said he believed it would be at least six months before the case is taken up again by the court.

Asked if there would be an attempt at an out-of-court settlement, he replied: "I don’t know how to settle it. I thought it was settled. The ZBA improperly added conditions."

Weisman said nursery owner David Harding had agreed to a number of conditions as part of the settlement at his urging.

"I think they (the ZBA) are being quite unreasonable," he said. "The conditions they have imposed effectively would put him out of business."

Board of Ed Approves New CMS Principal, SHS Guidance Director

The Board of Education Monday night made two personnel appointments.

Kris Bienkowski will replace retiring principal James Welch at Coleytown Middle School and Elaine Schwartz takes over as guidance director at Staples High School.

Bienkowski had been a principal at a Griswold middle school and Schwartz had been guidance director at Newtown High School.

RTM Finance Committee Recommends Town and Education Budget

The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) Finance Committee has unanimously recommended approval of the town and education portions of the proposed 2004-2005 $135.6 million budget.

The full RTM takes up the budgets at its May 3 meeting.

The committee acted Monday night after a lengthy discussion about the Board of Education's purchasing policies.

The committee took no action on a request by committee member Michael Rea, District 8, to investigate the assessor's office following postponement of the 2003 property assessment.

First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell and Finance Director Don Miklus assured the committee that the newly-appointed Revaluation Working Group would look into many of the areas of concern to Rea and other committee members.

Feds Urge No New Trial for Westport's Martha Stewart

Federal prosecutors have urged a judge to deny Westport's Martha Stewart and her ex-stockbroker a new trial.

In a filing Monday, the prosecutors disputed a claim that the first trial was tainted when the jury discussed Stewart's expensive handbag.

Stewart has said she deserves a new trial because one juror failed to disclose his arrest record and because a Bronx Little League executive claims the juror once confessed to embezzling money.

Peter Bacanovic, the former broker convicted with Stewart on March 5, moved for a new trial last week based on reports the jury discussed a handbag that Stewart occasionally toted to court.

The Birkin bag, coveted by Manhattan style-setters, was quoted at $14,000 by tabloid newspapers. Bacanovic's lawyer claims one juror also reported discussion in the jury room of high hourly fees charged by Stewart's lawyer.

But the three federal prosecutors who won the conviction against Stewart and Bacanovic said in the papers filed Monday that neither claim is sufficient to show that either defendant received an unfair trial.

"This was not a case about fashion, the rates charged by high-profile criminal defence lawyers or the wealth or lifestyle of either defendant," they wrote.

"It was a case about false statements, perjury and obstruction of justice."

U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum has the option of granting a new trial, rejecting the request or holding a hearing on the issue.

Stewart and Bacanovic were convicted of lying to the government about the circumstances of Stewart's Dec. 27, 2001, sale of nearly 4,000 shares of ImClone Systems stock, which plunged the next day on a negative government report.

They are to be sentenced June 17. Legal experts say they expect each to get 10 to 16 months in prison, although either could be allowed to spend some of the time in home confinement.

Prosecutors have already filed one set of papers opposing a second trial. They filed the second set Monday to answer new charges by Stewart and papers filed by Bacanovic last week.

Stewart lawyer Robert Morvillo accused the government of "an ostrich-like avoidance of its duty" to investigate what Morvillo called perjury by the juror.

The juror named in the Stewart papers, Chappell Hartridge, has not spoken publicly about the allegations of misconduct.

Tuesday, April 27, 2004

10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Planning & Zoning Commission (Discussion Sewer Extension Plan)
10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Arts Advisory Committee
11 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201A - Planning & Zoning Fence Committee
Noon - Toquet Hall - Westport Arts Center presents encore performance of "Play With Your Food"
4 p.m. Ben & Jerry's, 14 Post Road East - "Rock the Vote" teen voter registration drive
6 p.m. - Bedford Middle School -- Student art exhibition
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 206 - Historic District Commission
NOTE: A local newspaper mistakenly listed tonight at 7 p.m. as the public meeting on noise. The correct date is Thursday, April 29, at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium.
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A - Mill Pond public meeting
7 p.m. - Bridgeport Transportation Center, 525 Water St. - Hearing on proposed 5.5 percent New Haven Line fare increase
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Zoning Board of Appeals
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Architectural Review Board
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - RTM Transit Committee

High-Tech Talk

Westporter David Pogue, weekly personal technology columnist for The New York Times, chats with a friend at the University of Kansas tonight over a video computer link (Apple's iSight) during a talk on high-tech innovations at the Westport Public Library. Pogue showed off a number of new and yet-to-be-released gadgets but said he ranks the TiVo digital TV recorder the top high-tech innovation of recent years.(CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Not a Bad Day for Westport's Charles Berg as His Oxford Health is Acquired

It was not a bad day today for Westport's Charles Berg, at least financially.

Berg is president and CEO of Trumbull-based Oxford Health Plans Inc. which today was acquired by UnitedHealth Group for $4.8 billion in cash and stock.

The deal was announced just days after talks between Oxford and WellChoice fell apart.

In a news release, Oxford referred to the transaction as a merger and said Oxford will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of UnitedHealthcare based in Trumbull with Berg as its head.

Oxford and its products will continue to operate under the Oxford brand, the company said.

The merger of UnitedHealth, based in Minneapolis, and Oxford is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2004.

The deal includes UnitedHealth's purchase of approximately 54.7 million shares of Oxford and $1.4 billion in cash.

Oxford closed today up $4.05, or about 8 percent, to $54.94. UnitedHealth fell $2.05, or 3.1 percent to $63.90.

Berg, 46, has been in the post since November 2002 and has been with Oxford since April 1998. He was promoted to president and chief operating officer in March 2001.

Prior to joining the company, Berg was founder and CEO of Health Partners, Inc., a physicians network management company.

In the latest federal filings, Berg was listed as owning about 81,000 Oxford shares, including 50,000 acquired last month.

At today's closing price, his Oxford shares were worth about $4.45 million.

Farrell: Women's Washington March for Abortion Rights "Amazing Experience"

First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell says the abortion rights march in Washington, D.C. was "an amazing experience."

Farrell was among about 140 Westport residents who participated in the Sunday march and rally that drew hundreds of thousands of participants from around the country.

"It was an amazing experience – you felt you were part of history," Farrell said today.

She marched with about 140 Westport residents who boarded three buses before dawn Sunday for the five-hour drive to Washington.

Farrell had gone there the day before on other business but took the bus back with other marchers, arriving late in the evening.

"Every state of the union was represented," she said. "It was particularly heartening to see so many young people."

Another Westporter who made the trip, Jo Ann Davidson, said she, too, noticed the youth turnout.

"There were a lot more young people this time," she said. "I thought that was great."

She said many marchers got a kick out of the variety of signs displayed. "Some were really funny and some were outrageous," Davidson said.

Also among the Westport marchers were Rabbi Robert Orkand of Temple Israel and his wife, Joyce.

Orkand is president of the newly-formed Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice of Connecticut, Inc.

In a letter to supporters, Orkand said the chapter was created "to bring the pro-choice message to our state and to enable us to have a voice in the important work of national RCRC."

Westporters who could not attend Sunday's activities in Washington attended a meeting of support at the Unitarian Church of Westport.

Kmart and Westport's Martha Stewart Make Up

It's lovey dovey again between Kmart and the company owned by Westport's Martha Stewart.

The two companies announced today that Kmart Holding Corp. has settled its differences with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia over royalties on sales of goods bearing the Stewart name.

Despite Stewart's recent legal troubles, the amended contract extends the partnership with Kmart by two years, until 2009, and expands it to cover new product categories, the companies said in a joint statement.

In a complaint filed in February in bankruptcy court, Kmart had accused Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia of overcharging it for the exclusive rights to sell housewares and other products under the Martha Stewart Everyday label.

The amended contract keeps a minimum guaranteed payment for overall sales, but eliminates minimum payments in each product category, which was the source of the conflict.

Stewart was convicted March 5 of lying to investigators, conspiracy and obstruction of justice, all related to her sale of ImClone Systems stock in 2001, just before it nose-dived.

At her sentencing in June, legal experts expect her to get 10 to 16 months in prison. Stewart's attorneys are seeking a new trial.

Her conviction does not appear to have hurt the partnership with Kmart.

"We are pleased to have extended and deepened our relationship with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia," Kmart chief executive Julian Day said in a statement.

"MSO is an extremely valued brand partner, and we look forward to continuing that relationship on terms that best benefit both companies."

Sharon Patrick, chief executive of Martha Stewart Living, called the agreement "an exciting development."

"We are delighted that Kmart will continue to be a foundation partner for MSO throughout the decade and that our two companies have found mutually agreeable ways to improve upon our beneficial relationship," Patrick said in a statement.

"Reaffirming this highly successful partnership is due in large part to our confidence in the strength and acumen of Kmart's new management team."

Troy, Michigan-based Kmart, which emerged from bankruptcy in May, has staked its recovery in large part on the success of the Martha Stewart Everyday brand, which continues to symbolize high quality for many customers.

Stewart resigned last month from the board of her company and stepped down as chief creative officer. She took the new position of founding editorial director.

She had resigned as chairman and CEO last June after being indicted. Patrick, the company's president and chief operating officer, replaced Stewart as CEO at that time.

Westport's Sean Mulcahy Gets Call from Cleveland Browns

They didn’t get him in this weekend’s National Football League draft, but the Cleveland Browns quickly made a call Sunday to acquire Westport’s Sean Mulcahy as a free agent.
Flashback: Sean Mulcahy with Westport friends after his last UConn home game last November. WestportNow.com photo

The Browns had shown the most interest in Mulcahy in the weeks leading up to the draft.

Former Dallas Cowboys coach Dave Campo, now the defensive coordinator in Cleveland, attended Mulcahy's workout in March at UConn and apparently liked what he saw.

The 6-foot-6, 292-pound 2000 Staples grad was a four-year standout defensive lineman for the Huskies.

Fellow Husky Uyi Osunde also signed with the Browns as a free agent Sunday night. They will report to Cleveland Friday for a weekend minicamp.

"How awesome is that?" Mulcahy said.

It was not a package deal. Osunde and Mulcahy, tri-captains last season, negotiated separate contracts, terms of which were not disclosed, according to today's Hartford Courant.

Mulcahy said the Browns planned to play him at defensive tackle. Jacksonville and Pittsburgh had also shown interest.

"The Browns want me really badly," Mulcahy said. "They don't take a lot of free agents, which is good for my part."

Monday, April 26, 2004

11:30 a.m. Westport YMCA - Y's Women present Jean Krasno, a Yale foreign policy expert, speaking on “Is the United Nations Relevant – A Look at a Side of the United Nations Few Know About”
11:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 307 - Board of Education anticipated executive session
7 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Connecticut Department of Social Services Public Forum
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - RTM Planning & Zoning Committee
7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - David Pogue, weekly personal technology columnist for The New York Times, "High Tech Show-and-Tell"
8 p.m. - Staples High School Library - Board of Education
8 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - RTM Finance Committee

Police Chief Welcomes Special Olympics Participants

Westport Police Chief Al Fiore welcomed participants at today's Police Athletic League Special Olympics at Staples High School. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.com

African Violets and Other Exotic Gesneriads

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The Silvermine African Violet Society held its annual judged show and sale this weekend at Westport’s Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center. Best in Class winners included (l to r) Sally Shauer, Jane Sherman, Marjorie Rosenberg, Lynn Wallach and Jean Simons. All are Westport residents except Rosenberg who lives in Weston. The group has been active in the area for more than 35 years. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com

Westporter Takes Unusual Road to Kentucky Derby

Westport resident Robert LaPenta owns a horse that just might be the morning-line favorite for next Saturday's Kentucky Derby – all because of a black cat.

Today's The Advocate of Stamford/Norwalk spotlights the Heron Lake Lane resident and how a black cat helped him retain a robust colt named The Cliff's Edge.

Two weeks ago, the horse shook up the Triple Crown outlook by winning the Blue Grass Stakes and jumping to the front row of this year's 3-year-old class.

A Compo Saturday in Spring

Saturday was a good day for riding your bike at Compo Beach, walking, or sitting on the sand. The temperature was in the upper 60s with plenty of sunshine. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux Roche for WestportNow.com

Sunday, April 25, 2004

3 p.m. - Westport Public Library - "Poet's Voice" with Colette Inez